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Bob Morris

Bob Morris

Bob Morris is a horticulture expert living in Las Vegas and professor emeritus for the University of Nevada. Visit his blog at xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com. Send questions to Extremehort@aol.com.

Peach trees puzzling for area

Question: I live in the Mesquite area (1,800 feet elevation) and was looking to plant three different varieties of peach that would not ripen all at the same time. Would also appreciate some advice on when to plant them and where I might obtain them should you recommend bare roots.

Fruitless trees can still sometimes create produce

Question: I read a small article online that you wrote about fruitless olive trees. We just had two new 36-inch box fruitless olive trees planted in our front yard. We noticed about a dozen green olives growing at the top areas of the trees.

Asparagus spikes will fern out with patience

I recently purchased an asparagus fern, which now, after a few weeks of tender loving care, has decided to go bonkers. It is sending up spikes of growth with little or no “leaves” on it! Should these be trimmed or left alone and see how they end up?

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Older grapes require deeper, less frequent watering

Question: My grapevines are not growing as usual. I have had them for seven years. They always give me nice big leaves, but this year, they are very small and brown like they are dying or lacking something.

Some cactus fruit must be eaten with caution

Question: I would love to plant op-a-la-ah (not sure of spelling) cactus, the kind that looks like Mickey Mouse ears and grows red cactus pears, also known as prickly pears. Several of my neighbors have them. The problem is the tiny stickers on the fruit. I have heard that there is a variety that does not have stickers. Please advise me what they are called.

Sensitive loquat requires sun protection

Question: I planted a five gallon loquat in my front yard three months ago in April. It seemed to be taking just fine at first. A few weeks ago, I noticed the older leaves were beginning to turn brown, and the newer leaves seem to be shriveling up. When I purchased it, I was told it was OK to plant in full sun. During this heat, I drip water it every two days. I estimate it receives about six gallons per watering. I check the soil regularly to make sure the soil is not drying out. Any thoughts?

Pesky bugs make protecting basil difficult

Question: This picture I sent to you shows my chewed Genovese basil. If you enlarge the picture you will see small insects resembling those who ate the leaves of the plant. What can I do without poisoning my basil?

Pointless to attempt olive elimination

Question: Last fall, we planted an olive tree that was certified to be nonfruit blooming. Now, it is full of olives! I just want it to grow. So, should we pluck the little olives off the tree so it can put its energy into growth?

Formidable fire blight tough to tackle

Question: I have a pear tree which is about 10 years old. Up until this year, it has been pretty healthy. This spring, it got a disease. I am hoping you can identify it for me and tell me what I can do to treat it so that it won’t be a problem in the future.

Rock mulch best for native desert plants

Question: I often enjoy your pieces, and your suggestion of replacing rock mulch with wood chips caught my attention. I have an 18-year-old velvet ash in a small (20 feet by 20 feet), rock-covered front yard. Does this tree do better with rock or wood chips around its trunk?

Grape leaf drop hints at root, trunk issues

Question: I am having a serious problem with my grapevine. It seems to have stopped growing and is losing leaves. I used a lot of bone meal on the plants, and I am wondering if I have over-fertilized it? The ground is never dry; the flower bed it’s in is on the same drippers as prior years.

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